Northwest Innovation Works would make a $1 million, one-time grant to upgrade Kalama-area fire facilities under an agreement reached this month with Cowlitz Fire District 5.
The agreement hinges on the Northwest Innovation getting all permits to build the $1.8 billion project. The company would also pay a still-to-be determined amount for firefighter training.
$1 million is a big chunk of money for the fire district, which doesn’t receive money from any special, voter-approved levies. The district expects to receive $1.59 million this year from its regular property levy, according to the Cowlitz County Assessor’s Office. The $1 million Northwest Innovation money could be used to replace the district’s 20-year-old fire engines or contribute to the cost of remodeling the downtown Kalama fire station.